Live broadcast of "UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez" airs free in Australia
by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Dec 17, 2009 at 10:20 pm ET
The UFC's first trip to Australia will by seen in person by the 16,500 fans fortunate enough to secure tickets before the event sold out, but the organization today announced that many more Australians can watch the event for free.

The UFC and Network Ten today announced "UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez" will broadcast on One, an Australian sports network featured on free-to-air TV.

UFC 110 takes place on Feb. 21 at Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia.

"The UFC is the fastest growing sports organization in the world and clearly has a passionate and loyal following in Australia as evidenced by the speed of ticket sales," David White, Network Ten's Head of Sport, stated in the official release. "We believe that televising the event on free-to-air TV will support its growth here and further highlight that One is the leading sports network in Australia."

"UFC 110 on Sunday, Feb. 21, will be one of One's marquee events in 2010."

One is Australia's only free-to-air 24-hour digital sports channel and is available in both high definition digital and standard definition digital. The channel, which is part of the Network Ten family, currently carries a variety of international sports events that includes the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball, as well as domestic Cricket and Australian Rules Football matches.

While UFC 110 airs live on pay-per-view in the U.S., UFC U.K. president Marshall Zelaznik said he was excited that the event will be available free of charge Down Under.

"We are delighted to work with our partners at One to bring this fantastic card to our Australian fans free of charge," Zelaznik stated. "UFC 110 is stacked with some of the biggest names in all of mixed martial arts, from legends like Antonio (Rodrigo) Nogueira and Wanderlei Silva to elite-level contenders including Cain Velasquez and Michael Bisping to Australia's leading fighter, George Sotiropoulos, taking on a world-title-contender in Joe Stevenson.

"We couldn't be more excited to give the fans the chance to see this stacked super-card live and free on One."

One currently airs "UFC Wired" and has committed to expanding its coverage of the UFC in 2010.

I think that this is very smart. It will give the UFC much more exposure in Australia for sure.

JACro

12-18-2009 05:17 PM

Very nice of Dana. but... WHERE THE HELL IS CANADAS FREE STACKED CARD?!!

Spec0688

12-18-2009 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JACro
(Post 1072147)

Very nice of Dana. but... WHERE THE HELL IS CANADAS FREE STACKED CARD?!!

is this a joke?? lmao

we are in NORTH AMERICA, i THINK its beside America... if we get something free from UFC, its because its for free in america....

Biowza

12-18-2009 10:06 PM

oooooooooooohhh I download it for free anyway, but its the thought that counts.

Mjr

12-19-2009 08:01 AM

Very clever move, I gotta say Zuffa are doing all the right things. They seem to have a great business plan for expanding. If they could get a few TV advertisements when AFL is on that would create lots of business imo.

Wookie

12-19-2009 05:49 PM

BS we should get the fight for free too! Were getting shafted and we are the home country for this company. And they just keep screwing us over biting the hand that feeds. GO STRIKEFORCE!!! F*CK The FETRTITA BROTHERS

Nefilim777

12-19-2009 06:03 PM

Surely US viewers will get it for free too it'll just be on at some strange hour, no?

BWoods

12-19-2009 06:08 PM

I have no problem with Austrailia getting the card for free. Its a new market that needs a taste of what the UFC and MMA can offer. I think its a good idea that doesn't put the "on the fence" fans (the potential new fans who aren't sure if MMA is their thing) in a position of shelling out $50USD to watch something they could end up hating. It doesn't force Austraian fans to make a leap of faith with their wallets.

Good move by the UFC

Nefilim777

12-19-2009 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWoods
(Post 1072888)

I have no problem with Austrailia getting the card for free. Its a new market that needs a taste of what the UFC and MMA can offer. I think its a good idea that doesn't put the "on the fence" fans (the potential new fans who aren't sure if MMA is their thing) in a position of shelling out $50USD to watch something they could end up hating. It doesn't force Austraian fans to make a leap of faith with their wallets.

Good move by the UFC

Yeah I agree, they're trying to expand the brand and this is the perfect method. Hence why Sinosic and Sotiropulous are on the card also, gives the home crowd somethin to cheer for.

mel_progson

12-19-2009 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nefilim777
(Post 1072882)

Surely US viewers will get it for free too it'll just be on at some strange hour, no?

No, it will be a PPV for you guys. They're having the event on our sunday afternoon here which is your saturday evening.